Monitoring device, method and system

Abstract

A monitoring device ( 20 ) and method ( 200 ) for monitoring the health of a user is disclosed herein. The monitoring device ( 20 ) is preferably a watch ( 25 ), an optical sensor ( 30 ) disposed on a band of the watch ( 25 ), a circuitry assembly ( 35 ) embedded within a main body of the watch ( 25 ), a display member ( 40 ) disposed on an exterior surface of the main of the watch, and a control component ( 43 ). The monitoring device ( 20 ) preferably displays the following information about the user: pulse rate; blood oxygenation levels; calories expended by the user of a pre-set time period; target zones of activity; time; distance traveled; and dynamic blood pressure. The watch ( 25 ) also displays the time of day on the display member ( 40 ).

1 . A monitoring device for monitoring the health of a user, the monitoring device comprising: 
 an article having a main body, a first band attached to one end of the main body and a second band attached to a second end of the body, the first band and the second band having a connection mechanism for connecting to each other;    means for measuring blood flow through an artery of the wrist of the user, the measuring means disposed on the first band of the article;    means for calculating calories expended by the user during a time period, the calculating means disposed on the main body of the article;    means for visually displaying the calories expended by the user, the visually displaying means disposed on an exterior surface of the main body of the article; and    means for controlling the input information and the output of information displayed on the visually displaying means, the controlling means disposed on the exterior surface of the main body of the article.    
   
   
       2 . The monitoring device according to  claim 1  further comprising means for determining the pulse rate of the user.  
   
   
       3 . The monitoring device according to  claim 1  further comprising a time function mechanism disposed on the main body of the article to provide a time of day.  
   
   
       4 . The monitoring device according to  claim 1  wherein each of the first band and the second band of the article is composed of a neoprene material.  
   
   
       5 . The monitoring device according to  claim 1  wherein the measuring means is an optical sensor comprising a light-to-voltage photodetector capable of transmitting a digital signal, and at least one light emitting diode capable of radiating light ranging from 600 nanometers to 1100 nanometers.  
   
   
       6 . The monitoring device according to  claim 1  wherein the measuring means is a pulse oximetry sensor comprising a light-to-voltage photodetector capable of transmitting a digital signal, first light emitting diode capable of radiating red light and a second light emitting diode capable of emitting infrared light.  
   
   
       7 . The monitoring device according to  claim 1  wherein the measuring means is an optical sensor comprising a light-to-frequency photodetector capable of transmitting a digital signal, and at least one light emitting diode capable of radiating light ranging from 570 nanometers to 1100 nanometers.  
   
   
       8 . The monitoring device according to  claim 1  wherein the measuring means is an optical sensor comprising a plurality of light-to-voltage photodetectors capable of transmitting a digital signal, and at least one light emitting diode capable of radiating light ranging from 600 nanometers to 1100 nanometers.  
   
   
       9 . The monitoring device according to  claim 1  wherein the measuring means is an optical sensor comprising a plurality of light-to-frequency photodetectors capable of transmitting a digital signal, and at least one light emitting diode capable of radiating light ranging from 570 nanometers to 1100 nanometers.  
   
   
       10 . A monitoring device for monitoring the health of a user, the monitoring device comprising: 
 an article to be worn on the user's wrist, the article comprising a main body having an interior surface and an exterior surface, a first band attached to one end of the main body and a second band attached to a second end of the body, the first band and the second band having a connection mechanism for connecting to each other;    an optical sensor disposed on an interior surface of the first band of the article;    a circuitry assembly embedded within the main body of the article;    a display member disposed on an exterior surface of the main body of the article; and    a control component disposed on the exterior surface of the main body of the article, the control component controlling the input of information and the output of information displayed on the display member.    
   
   
       11 . The monitoring device according to  claim 10  wherein the optical sensor comprises a light-to-voltage photodetector capable of transmitting a digital signal, and at least one light emitting diode capable of radiating light ranging from 600 nanometers to 1100 nanometers.  
   
   
       12 . The monitoring device according to  claim 10  wherein the optical sensor comprises a light-to-frequency photodetector capable of transmitting a digital signal, and at least one light emitting diode capable of radiating light ranging from 570 nanometers to 1100 nanometers.  
   
   
       13 . The monitoring device according to  claim 10  wherein the optical sensor comprises a plurality of light-to-voltage photodetectors capable of transmitting a digital signal, and at least one light emitting diode capable of radiating light ranging from 600 nanometers to 1100 nanometers.  
   
   
       14 . The monitoring device according to  claim 10  wherein the optical sensor comprises a plurality of light-to-frequency photodetectors capable of transmitting a digital signal, and at least one light emitting diode capable of radiating light ranging from 570 nanometers to 1100 nanometers.  
   
   
       15 . A watch with a monitoring device for monitoring the health of a user, the watch comprising: 
 a main body having an interior surface and an exterior surface, the main body comprising a timepiece mechanism;    a first band connected to a first end of the main body;    a second band connected to a second end of the main body, the first band and the second connectable to each other;    an optical sensor disposed on the interior surface of the first band;    a circuitry assembly embedded within the first band, the circuitry assembly comprising a microprocessor and connected to the optical sensor;    a display member disposed on an exterior surface of the main body; and    a control component disposed on the exterior surface of the main body, the control component controlling the input of information and the output of information displayed on the display member.    
   
   
       16 . The watch according to  claim 15  wherein the optical sensor comprises a light-to-voltage photodetector capable of transmitting a digital signal, and at least one light emitting diode capable of radiating light ranging from 600 nanometers to 1100 nanometers.  
   
   
       17 . The monitoring device according to  claim 15  wherein the optical sensor comprises a light-to-frequency photodetector capable of transmitting a digital signal, and at least one light emitting diode capable of radiating light ranging from 570 nanometers to 1100 nanometers.  
   
   
       18 . The monitoring device according to  claim 15  wherein the optical sensor comprises a plurality of light-to-voltage photodetectors capable of transmitting a digital signal, and at least one light emitting diode capable of radiating light ranging from 600 nanometers to 1100 nanometers.  
   
   
       19 . The monitoring device according to  claim 15  wherein the optical sensor comprises a plurality of light-to-frequency photodetectors capable of transmitting a digital signal, and at least one light emitting diode capable of radiating light ranging from 570 nanometers to 1100 nanometers.  
   
   
       20 . The monitoring device according to  claim 15  wherein the circuitry assembly is in wireless communication with a receiver on the main body.